how long can a red ear slider live with out UVB lighting. what happens to them if they dont have it if they do those their colors show better?
I would imagine they could live for quite some time, but this doesn't mean they'll live healthily. These turtles absolutely need a UVB light to live healthily, otherwise if they don't have one they will have multiple problems. Reptiles use UV rays to absorb the vitamins and minerals they consume through their food such as calcium, and without this they can't process it. Without calcium they will develop very weak and brittle bones and wont grow as properly. It is vital that they are allowed this aspect of their life.
With natural light , like in a pond. Forever.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...
Just a tank light they will not get the proper Vitamin D they get from the rep light or real sunlight. You will stunt their growth and probably get sickly.
As they age they get an dark olive green color and become dull.
To keep them healthy Remember 10 gallons for every inch of turtle..
***You need a heater...set at 80 degrees. If water is cold they will stop eating!
Sliders, westerns, cooters , midland, painted, map, yellow bellied all are basically the same and require the same basic care.
They NEED calcium and protein they get it from the fish meat and the fish bones. Drop 20 or 30 or so feeder guppies or small goldfish(or minnows they maybe a bit fast for babies at first just drop in the tank and watch them disappear in a few days! The more they eat the healthier the turtle.
They can have garden worms which I collect after a good rain and dump them un the pond, also meal worms, snails, crickets, flies, crayfish small frogs, slugs, tadpoles ,dragon flies and anything that moves, but only as a treat.
They need leafy greens Romaine, Butter lettuce. (Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them, any other leafy greens will do) for vitamin A that they need at least 4 to 5 times a week.
They love grapes and strawberries and squash , apples.
These turtles in captivity do not hibernate their eating may slow down some but they will not hibernate. They cannot hear or see well so they feel you coming by the vibrations each foot step take.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...
Just a tank light they will not get the proper Vitamin D they get from the rep light or real sunlight. You will stunt their growth and probably get sickly.
As they age they get an dark olive green color and become dull.
To keep them healthy Remember 10 gallons for every inch of turtle..
***You need a heater...set at 80 degrees. If water is cold they will stop eating!
Sliders, westerns, cooters , midland, painted, map, yellow bellied all are basically the same and require the same basic care.
They NEED calcium and protein they get it from the fish meat and the fish bones. Drop 20 or 30 or so feeder guppies or small goldfish(or minnows they maybe a bit fast for babies at first just drop in the tank and watch them disappear in a few days! The more they eat the healthier the turtle.
They can have garden worms which I collect after a good rain and dump them un the pond, also meal worms, snails, crickets, flies, crayfish small frogs, slugs, tadpoles ,dragon flies and anything that moves, but only as a treat.
They need leafy greens Romaine, Butter lettuce. (Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them, any other leafy greens will do) for vitamin A that they need at least 4 to 5 times a week.
They love grapes and strawberries and squash , apples.
These turtles in captivity do not hibernate their eating may slow down some but they will not hibernate. They cannot hear or see well so they feel you coming by the vibrations each foot step take.
Austinsturtlepage.com..great pic's of all turtles and info and care for them.
I have been blessed with two 37 yr old girl sliders and 3 adopted males
I have been blessed with two 37 yr old girl sliders and 3 adopted males